Call to stop Highland fuel surcharge ‘rip-off’

Highland consumers face bigger bills even though many rural and remote households live in fuel povertyALAMY

Ministers are being urged to end a “rip-off” which forces Highland households to pay more for electricity than people in other parts of the UK, despite having some of the worst levels of fuel poverty.

With the Met Office warning that temperatures in parts of Scotland could plunge to –10C last night — much colder than average for the time of year — SNP MSP Kate Forbes said the UK government must put an end to a 2p-a-unit surcharge for north of Scotland customers.

More than half of all rural and remote households live in fuel poverty, with fuel poverty levels significantly higher in rural Scotland, she said. She warned that the situation leaves Highland consumers facing bigger bills despite the region being a key…